PHOSPHATE SHIP DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24987, 23 September 1946, Page 4

PHOSPHATE SHIP DISPUTE

SETTLEMENT REACHED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. A telephone conversation between the Secretary of Marine (Mr W. C. Smith) in Wellington, and a representative of the crews of the British steamers Samsfrae and Saxnnethy, at Auckland on Saturday, settled a dispute over the conditions of service in the New Zealand-Makatea phosphate trade, and both ships left port early on Saturday afternoon. The crews of both steamers, which have been on New Zealand articles while trading on the coast on New Zealand Government charter, had protested against reversion to Board of Trade articles under the British Phosphate Commission Charter. A seaman from the Samstrae was given full power to represent both ships in discussions with the Secretary of Marine. In a subsequent telephone conversation with the "New Zealand Herald,” Mr Smith said that he had found the delegate one of the most reasonable workers’ representatives he had ever dealt with. Mr Smith stated that he had said that the crews were entitled to coastwise rates and conditions on the coast, but when they had discharged the coastal cargo they reverted to the British terms. At the request of the men’s spokesman, he agreed to advise the masters of the Samstrae> and Samnethy in writing of his explanation, so that it could be read to the two crews on their return from Makatea. The delegate accepted the arrangement, ard the steamers moved into the stream. The Samstrae sailed later for Makatea direct and the Samnethy left for Makatea, via Lyttelton, where she will load coal.